Google and Qualcomm seem to be mixing it up for an option beyond Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Google’s getting in on PCs, and it could mean we’ll finally have another option beyond today’s stable of operating systems. After letting ChromeOS moulder in a sea of its own inadequacies, the tech giant confirmed it’s going to offer a true PC operating system alternative to macOS or Windows 11 sometime… eventually. At Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit (full disclosure: travel and lodging were paid by Qualcomm, and Gizmodo did not guarantee any coverage as a condition of accepting the trip), Google VP of Devices and Services Rick Osterloh spoke with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon and hinted about this new phase of Android.
“I’ve seen it, it’s incredible,” quipped Amon. With no other hints to go on, we need to consider what Google needs to do to make Android work on a big screen. Android on desktops or laptops needs to offer more than an Android-ified version of the latest iPadOS 26. Google could offer an OS that allows for the Mac-style continuity between devices without the walled garden that limits you to apps dictated by Google. I’m one of those PC users routinely miffed that Windows is force-feeding Microsoft’s first-party apps like OneDrive down our throats with annoying popup ads on desktop. A change of scenery would be welcome, but I’m not one ready to abandon my Steam library, either.Android on PC will be stuffed with AI
For those curious, here’s Osterloh’s full comments about Google’s plans for Android on PC:
“In the past, we’ve always had very different systems between what we’re building on PCs and what we’re building in smartphones and we’ve embarked on a project to combine that. We’re building together a common technical foundation for our products on PCs and desktop computers, and I think this is another way that we can leverage all of the great work we’re doing together on our AI stack bringing Gemini models—bringing all of our application and developer community into the PC domain.
